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Merchants 1688, Lancaster
Lancaster
LA1 1YN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Merchants 1688
A very unusual pub housed in an old wine vaults which means that the seating area is effectively 3 tunnels. The bar is up a couple of steps and on the right as you enter, the tunnels are on the left. There's a large beer patio at the front. Some of the lighting in the tunnels is a bit chintzy. It's quite food led until 9, but after that it's full of drinkers. 6 handpumps on the bar serving changing guests with 4 available on our visit. My pint was in good condition and Ms CAMRA thought the red wine was very good. This, along with the friendly, chatty barstaff made us stay for two. There's a 10p per pint discount for CAMRA members.
On 17th June 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about Merchants 1688
Always call in had friends what were the managers there back in my Scottish and Newcastle days as not got the atmosphere it had in those days. Trying to go up market but the outside drinking area as improved a lot.Always our first and last port of call when in Lancaster for the day
On 21st March 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Merchants
Only had time for a very flying visit, and this because my train was delayed a bit, but the Merchants 1688 is a very interesting place (despite its odd name). It has an attractive stone patio beer garden at the front; but, even through it doesn't give the impression of being underground, you get something of a surprise as you enter because it is housed in some old wine cellars. Five of the six handpumps were operational, with a decent selection including Kirkby Lonsdale Singletrack Black (£1.75 for a quick half). The layout is rather cramped, and the place is obviously food led, but definitely a place to return to.
On 9th March 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Merchants
Our very last pub before the Station and was well worth a visit. The staff were friendly and took a keen interest in their ales. There were six ales on the go, so we tried the Naylors Brewery Aramis and Oxfordshire Ales Hibernation, which were both well kept and full of flavour.
On 24th February 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Merchants
A pub of architectural interest, as it is situated in 300 year old wine cellars. Approach the entrance through the well-maintained beer garden at the front and enter the exposed-brick work interior towards the bar area. To the left of the bar is a TV which occasionally has the football on. Leading off from the bar are three long rooms with arched brickwork ceilings, two of which are aimed towards diner and one for traditional drinking plus darts and quizzer. There are usually a nice selection of ales in pretty good condition – four house ales (Deuchars IPA, Lancaster Blonde, Bombardier and Old Peculiar) and a guest, along with an extensive wine list and bottled fare. A little on the expensive side (for Lancaster) you are paying for the venue but at least the quality is good. There’s generally a nice relaxed atmosphere about the place and they’re big on food during the day.
Easily accessible from the train station and well-worth stopping off for a beer before you get your choo-choo.
On 14th August 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tim Tomlinson left this review about The Merchants
Merchants has changed hands before Christmas and has undegone a bit of a face lift.
It also now has 4 good cask ales and an excellent new menu.
Can't wait for summer to sit outside in the beer garden tucking into a cheese board.
On 5th April 2008
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3 recommendations about 3 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Jason Kevan left this review about The Merchants
I have been using this pub a lot when I come up to visit my friend who lives in Lancaster. The food and staff are great. My mate Mark uses the pub all the time. 10 out of 10.
From Jason Kevan from London
On 28th February 2004
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]